What Once Was is Again
Diclaimer: I do not own any of the characters within Yugioh, minus Strawberry (who you will find out about in my fic). Said characters are also OOC. So live with it it's the way I write! Hehehe.
Warning: there have been minor to extreme changes within the characters of Yugioh, but it is all interesting changes no less and makes for interesting reading I must say.
It was a gorgeous morning; the sun was shining brightly, warming up the skin at its light touch. Birds flew, getting ready for the up coming winter, heading south more often, as the weather grew colder. Yugi sat on the couch looking out the window at the site. He sighed. What a lovely morning he thought. He smiled at the thought but it faded slowly. He had no one to share it with other then his yami, who happened to be sleeping at the moment. He turned his head, hair shifting lightly, to look at the snoozing yami. Of course the only reason his yami was sleeping was because of his sunspot. That's how he put it anyway. Yugi shook his head trying to suppress some fit of giggles that were about to burst at the sight. His yami was lying on the floor in a moon shaped position on his side, arms out stretched and his legs bent at a 90-degree angle, his chest rising slowly and comforting under the spell the sun casted over him. If Yugi listened closely he could hear small, quiet snores coming from his darker half. "Yami you can be a pain sometimes." Yugi giggled at the slight moan that escaped his yami's lips. Yugi bent over and slipped his finger under his yami's nose and pushed up genteelly. This made his yami smile. Yugi did this all the time to calm his yami's nerves when he was angry. It always made his yami melt away. In fact it was the same way for the rest of the yamis. And with that trick comes a downer. If you flicked the yamis in the nose that got them really pissed. Yugi got up of the couch, crossed over to the kitchen with a light pad on the floor. When he entered, he walked over to the cupboard that contained the plates that went under the teacups. He pulled out two and placed them buy the microwave. He looked back in the direction were Yami was sleeping. Yugi was determined to have someone to do something with. He would do anything other than sit there in silence. It was unnerving. And Yami was going to be that someone. No way could Yugi let his yami sleep and ignore him like that. Sure it might be considered selfish but Yugi was so bored. "Soon Yami will be up and running around in no time, Yugi stated to himself, all he needs is a jump start." Yugi rushed out of the kitchen, almost slipping in his excitement on the wood floor. He ran down the stairs to the basement cellar, stopping at their freezer. He pulled a stool up beside it so he could reach inside and pull out what he wanted. His Grandpa gave it to him because of his short legs. For his age he was abnormally small making him look like a ten year old. And his face didn't help one bit. It was so childlike and innocent. His big lavender eyes would make the hardest heart turn soft, just the way he looked at you. Yugi pulled out a bag full of cinnamon rolls that he had made a couple of days ago. His yami adored cinnamon rolls and the smell of cinnamon drove him nuts. Whenever Yugi had the smell of cinnamon, just the slightest scent, Yami was all over him. And Yugi would use this to his advantage. That was Yugi's weapon. Yugi re-entered the kitchen and pulled out two rolls. He put them on two plates and popped them in to the microwave for a minute. Yugi took out a container that held cinnamon in it to sprinkle some on Yami's roll. He popped open the lid and let the aroma flow into the living room. Yami's nose caught a whiff of the scent, twitching like a rabbits he sniffed. His eyes opened up immediately revealing two ruby red orbs. He lifted up his head and snapped it towards the kitchen. He crawled on to his feet and bounded on to the couch silently. He peered into the kitchen and spotted Yugi at the counter, his back blocking the view. He roved his eyes over the kitchen until they landed on the microwave. His eyes went bright and a wide smirk spread across his face. He slinked off the back of the couch and landed with a light thud. Yugi heard the light sound resonate through the kitchen. A meek smile spread across his face. A beep sounded off in his ear. He flicked his head towards the microwave, his hair shifting lightly like a cloud crossing the sky. Yugi opened the door and pulled out the rolls. A faint smell lifted off them and Yugi was sure his yami could smell the delicious scent. He grabbed the cinnamon box that sat on the left of him and sprinkled some on the left roll, covering the top just enough to give it a little buzz for his yami. Yugi glanced around the kitchen. Where is he thought Yugi, his face showing complete puzzlement. Yugi shrugged it off as just being lazy. He turned around to face the rolls but instead he got a face full of his yami. He jumped at the surprised sneak but started laughing at the sight. Yami sat on the counter with his legs crossed, chewing the roll absentmindedly. His cheeks had a slight blush to them as if he were on a sugar high and his eyes glowed with delight. A purring sound emanated from his throat and mixing with his chewing it sounded like he was saying yum.
Sure all this was funny in a way but Yugi was laughing at only one thing. How his yami was eating the cinnamon roll. He never used his hands like a normal person would. The only time he'd use his hands is when he picked it up and stuffed it into his mouth. For the remainder of time he used his teeth and ate it one peel at a time. He looked like a human can opener with the cinnamon roll actually turning in his lips until it diminished into his cavernous mouth.
"Yami you never cease to amaze me. I still don't know how you do that! It defies all logic." Yugi grabbed the cinnamon box and stuffed it in his pocket. A wicked little grin spread across his face. Yami finished chewing his roll and glanced over at Yugi. A smile flitted across his face. Yami jumped down from the counter and followed Yugi back to the couch. He sat down and stared at Yugi who was quietly enjoying his roll. Yugi looked up to meet his gaze.
"What's wrong Yami? Is something bothering you?"
"There is only one reason why you pulled out the cinnamon rolls. So...what is it?" Yami cocked an eyebrow, waiting for a reply. Yugi looked at him with big watery eyes and to Yami he was begging.
"I can't hide anything from you!"
"Well!!"
"I was bored Yami and I want to do something with someone. You should know that everyone is busy. I tried Seto but he didn't answer and Mokuba is not home either or he would have answered the phone. Marik and his yami told me that they would be busy but they never told me what they were up to."
"It might be better that way" Yami mocked. "Well have you tried Joey or Ryou? I'm sure they wouldn't be busy."
"No Yami, you're wrong."
"Oh no!!! Yami stated with an exaggerated expression.
"Very funny Yami. Ha ha! I have tried Joey already but Joey stated plain and simple that he wasn't feeling good."
"And you believed him?"
"Of course, but that's not the issue." Yugi waved the suggestion off like it was a fly. Yami almost face faulted at the gesture. He straightened up and coughed slightly at the thought. "Joey being sick...right!" He whispered through fake coughs. Yugi sighed and shook his head.
"Yami are you done cause I would like to continue."
"Go on. You were saying?"
"Ryou was the last one I phoned and he never answered. I was sure he was there. He was three days ago." Yugi's face turned from content to worry.
"Yugi that was three days ago. We haven't seen him, Strawberry or Yami Bakura for that matter. No contact, no nothing. He just up and disappeared. Wait! That doesn't make sense. Doesn't he live in Seto's house?" Yugi stared out in to space for a few minutes as he let the question sink into his head.
"Oh yah! I already phoned the Kaiba mansion and no one answered but I'm still worried about him. He has never done this to us before!"
"Like I said he lives with Seto, that's why it's never happened before." Yami paused to think, his face written with concentration. Yugi watched his yami waiting for some logical explanation.
"Maybe, Yugi, he went back to his old house were it was just him and his yami?"
"I hope not Yami. That house gives me the heebie jeebies and it makes his yami act strange. Yami Bakura's powers grow strong and he gets this cold feel around him, like raw energy is seething through his veins." Yugi stated with a glance at the window, expressing the feeling of curiosity. Yami looked at Yugi and laughed. Yugi whipped his head around, snapped out of his thoughts at the abrupt laugh that issued from his yami.
"What Yami? Why did you laugh? Is it me that you're laughing at?"
"No Yugi I'm not laughing at you." Yami smiled. Yugi sighed with relief that his yami wasn't laughing at him for being so up tight. But then what was he laughing about or at? What got him giggling?
"To answer your questions Yugi I just thought of asking Otogi about Ryou. I mean you never tried to ask Otogi if he's seen Ryou. Strawberry is his apprentice and were Strawberry is Ryou has to be around some where near by. Otogi has tabs on everyone."
"You are so right Yami!" Yugi slaps his forehead in a fashion to show how stupid he felt. "And there's Shaadi. I never tried Shaadi either. Shaadi can sort of sense where other items are and transport himself to their whereabouts." Yami jumped off the couch and raced to the door, the excitement of a hunt rushed through him. He stopped only when Yugi called for him.
"Slow down Yami! I don't have my shoes on!" complained Yugi.
"Come on Yugi! We don't got all day!"
"There my shoes are on. Now we can go Yami and thanks for being serene." Yugi joked.
"Glad to be of service." And with that last sentence Yami was out the door, practically ripping down the street.
"Yami!!!! You don't have to run! I can't keep up!!" Yugi screamed but Yami never let up. "Fine if you won't listen I'll just have to bring out the drastic measures." Yugi pulled out the cinnamon box and opened it. He waved it in the air to let the scent of it be known that it was behind Yami. Of course, to Yugi's hope, Yami caught wind of it and stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around and came at Yugi with more force then when he first started out with. Yugi knew this force would and could shatter his bones if he didn't dodge. Yugi jumped aside just in time to miss the crushing blow his yami was about to inflict. Yami flew right by and crashed into a mailbox causing it to bend. Yami lay there whimpering, rubbing his head and shoulder that collided with the mailbox.
"Yami if you listened to me before you wouldn't have ran into that mailbox."
"Well at least can you give me the cinnamon?" Yami griped.
"Sorry Yami but I just used it to call you back."
"Well then I'm not staying! See you at Otogi's."
"Yami I want you to walk with me. Please!" Yugi looked Yami in the eyes, his lavender eyes starting to sparkle with tears, a trick that Mokuba taught Noa and him. Well all the adorable people in the group, like Ryou as well. It worked on everyone, despite the fact that some of them were cold hearted.
"God damnit! Fine I'll walk with you but if you do that again I swear I'll..."
"Meh!" Yugi rolls his eyes in exaggeration. Yugi stands on the spot for a moment, thinking. He decides what he was thinking about and struts over to Yami. He thrust up his arms, flexing his fingers. "Up!" Yami was stunned. He looked down upon Yugi, eyes frozen with shock, wide like saucers. He stammered. "Excuse me!"
"You heard me Yami, loud and clear." Yugi answered simply.
"Uh...no. No, no way am I carrying you! You can walk. Use your legs. Besides all you wanted was for me to walk beside you and I get nothing out of it. No cinnamon, nothing." Countered Yami. Yugi whined and brought out the cinnamon. Yami refused it by turning his head and going into full snub mode. Yugi sighed. Fine, he'd just have to bring out the full artillery if Yami was going to turn down the one favourite thing he loved to eat. Not hearing complaining from Yugi anymore, Yami started to get apprehensive. He loved to hear Yugi's voice, especially when he whined. Not hearing it only made him feel empty and ignored. Yami opened his eyes and shifted his head slightly, causing a bang to fall in front of his eye. When Yami's eyes caught Yugi's baby lavender's Yami thought 'I'm screwed'. He was met with a full forced assault of the one and only puppy cry. Yami was beaten. Yugi knew he would win. He smiled a sweet smile to make his yami feel a bit better, knowing loosing was the worst thing that could happen to him. It always made his yami feel sick and Yugi couldn't stand it, seeing his yami's pride hurt. But just to gloat, Yugi threw up his arms, flexed his fingers and said, "Up!" Yami looked at him with a defeated expression. "Okay, fine I'll carry you."
"Yami, you wanted to get there fast and you know my legs are shorter then yours. This is the only way to go." Yugi smiled once more, giving the feeling to Yami that he was thankful and sorry at the same time. Yami sighed. He knelt down and scooped his aibou up into his warm embrace.
"Yah, I know Yugi but if anyone asks if you're my kid, I'm answering that you just have a leg problem." Yugi stopped cuddling up to Yami's chest and looked up, a mad little expression on his face. "Yami!" "Don't stop cuddling. Go on. Your hair is all fuzzy and tickly!" Yami ruffled Yugi's hair. "Yami! Don't try and get out of trouble with me." Yugi started to giggled as Yami blew slow tickling breaths into his ear. "Yami...st...stop it! That tickles." Yugi shivered, as a shiver ran up and down his spin. "Fine you're off the hook this time but next time I might not be so generous." They continued this conversation all the way to Otogi's.
"Come in!" Otogi got off of his chair and sauntered over to the door. In his bedroom a low, scratchy growl issued from the room, announcing its aggravation. Otogi ignored it and opened the door. Yami stepped in through the door, holding Yugi in his arms. "Where's Mokodo? I would like to know its where abouts." There was a sharp ring. They heard rustling of sheets and a mousy snarl come from his room.
"Does that answer your question? Anyway, I've been expecting you two for sometime now. You have something to tell me or will that be tardy too?" Otogi raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Yes we have questions and we aren't the only tardy people around." Yami raised an eyebrow just the same only he had a "you've been caught red- handed" smile plastered to his face.
"And I love every bit of it. Now, lay the questions on me before I fall asleep."
"Have you seen Ryou lately?" Yugi asked, sinking back into worriment.
"As a matter of fact..." Otogi paused in mid thinking.
"Well, spit it out! What is it?" Yami complained.
"Nope." Otogi stated simply.
"Nope what? What do you mean?"
"Yami! Don't be so rude."
"Yah Yami! Don't be so rude." Yami fidgeted nervously, face turning red from embarrassment.
"What I mean Yami is that I haven't seen Ryou and you know what that means! That I haven't seen hide or hair of Strawberry or Bakura and hasn't it occurred to you that Ryou could be out on a walk or something. " Otogi put on his all knowing look.
"Don't change the subject! You should know where they are Otogi. You do have links with everyone you protect." Otogi's expression faded and an annoyed look replaced it.
"I can't keep tabs on everyone at once, Yami! Even I have my limits. It's exhausting work watching all of you. That gives you a reason why I'm sleeping the majority of the time and can't help you when you're in trouble. I waist all my fircken time just watching you people do nothing."
"We get the picture." Yami half lidded his eyes, putting on a sarcastic look.
"Very good. You've come a long way, little grasshopper." Otogi started laughing. Yami growled and was about to say a rude comment but Yugi hushed him.
"I was wondering, Otogi, if you would like to help us look for Ryou. You're obviously worried about your pup. He's been gone to long for your taste."
"If you call three days long."
"Hush Yami!" Yugi looked up at Yami seriously. "Please hold your tongue." Yami didn't reply. He was to busy looking at Otogi's expression. He could see the worry in the velvet black haired boy's divine green eyes. Otogi stopped pacing and looked at Yugi. "I'll help you search for Ryou but only out of devotion for the ones I keep safe and the fact that something is stirring inside me, a bad feeling to this 'so called' disappearance of Ryou and Strawberry."
"You make it sound like Sherlock Holmes. I got that of the magic box." Yami smiled. Otogi slapped his face. He knew Yami could be stupid but not that demented. Yugi just shook his head and sighed.
"What about Yami B?" Yugi looked sort of concerned. To him, he felt it was his duty to worry about everyone. Even the ones that could harm him and the others loathed.
"In a way my feeling is coming from Bakura. I haven't been watching him over the past days and every time I do look at him, he would shift slightly. I thought he was moody and left him alone. I believed that was what he wanted, considering how he works with everyone else. But now I believe I was wrong. It was something deeper with him that made him shifty under my gaze." Yami stiffened at the very words that slid from Otogi's mouth. He set Yugi down. Yugi looked up, confused.
"Yami what's bothering you?" Yugi looked at him.
"Nothing Yugi. My arms need to rest for a bit, that's all."
"Okay Yami. If that's all it is." Otogi interrupted the converse between the two of them. "If you're ready we can begin the search for them."
"Oh! Yes we are. Sorry about that Otogi." Yugi apologized.
"Yugi, I going back into the puzzle."
"What for Yami?"
"I need to ponder something and it requires absolute silence. Don't let me hold you back. Go on with Otogi. I'll been in the puzzle if you need to discuss something." With that last sentence, Yami vanished with a golden light. The puzzle glowed a brilliant yellowish gold when he entered and died down to the smooth glint when he settled in. Yugi fingered the puzzle, pondering silently to himself. He let a smile slink on to his face, eyes going all warm and hazy looking as if he were having a warm daydream; not to be awoken. Otogi watched Yugi carefully, watching every facial muscle twitch, so he could read what was on Yugi's mind.
"Yugi, time is of the essence. I would advise you that if we want to find Ryou it would help us more if we were walking not talking."
"Oops! Sorry Otogi. I was recalling something." Yugi replied, shocked out of his daydream. Otogi bowed his head in forgiveness and strolled out the door, motioning Yugi to follow him. Otogi locked the door behind them. For precautions only, there were a lot of bums that wandered the halls, looking for open rooms to snoop through. Otogi took Yugi on his little detour around the elevators and stairs. There was to many people that could block their way. They already lost an hour because of their little conversation. They strolled out onto the street and continued the pass meant for Yugi's little legs.
"Otogi! Where do you think we should start looking? I mean we could go to Seto's mansion to check and see if Ryou left anything behind." Yugi spoke rapidly as he still had to try and keep up with Otogi's swift, long strides.
"I would think Seto would have noticed anything out of place. It is his home."
"What of Mokuba or Noa? Would they know to?"
"Sure they would! Whatever Seto notices, Mokuba and Noa will notice. Yugi don't worry! Everyone's going to help search for Ryou."
"But Otogi, everyone is busy right at the moment. They all have something to do or work on, like Seto has..."
"They wont have anything to work on for long." Otogi cracked his knuckles and stretched his fingers, ready to cause some damage.
Diclaimer: I do not own any of the characters within Yugioh, minus Strawberry (who you will find out about in my fic). Said characters are also OOC. So live with it it's the way I write! Hehehe.
Warning: there have been minor to extreme changes within the characters of Yugioh, but it is all interesting changes no less and makes for interesting reading I must say.
It was a gorgeous morning; the sun was shining brightly, warming up the skin at its light touch. Birds flew, getting ready for the up coming winter, heading south more often, as the weather grew colder. Yugi sat on the couch looking out the window at the site. He sighed. What a lovely morning he thought. He smiled at the thought but it faded slowly. He had no one to share it with other then his yami, who happened to be sleeping at the moment. He turned his head, hair shifting lightly, to look at the snoozing yami. Of course the only reason his yami was sleeping was because of his sunspot. That's how he put it anyway. Yugi shook his head trying to suppress some fit of giggles that were about to burst at the sight. His yami was lying on the floor in a moon shaped position on his side, arms out stretched and his legs bent at a 90-degree angle, his chest rising slowly and comforting under the spell the sun casted over him. If Yugi listened closely he could hear small, quiet snores coming from his darker half. "Yami you can be a pain sometimes." Yugi giggled at the slight moan that escaped his yami's lips. Yugi bent over and slipped his finger under his yami's nose and pushed up genteelly. This made his yami smile. Yugi did this all the time to calm his yami's nerves when he was angry. It always made his yami melt away. In fact it was the same way for the rest of the yamis. And with that trick comes a downer. If you flicked the yamis in the nose that got them really pissed. Yugi got up of the couch, crossed over to the kitchen with a light pad on the floor. When he entered, he walked over to the cupboard that contained the plates that went under the teacups. He pulled out two and placed them buy the microwave. He looked back in the direction were Yami was sleeping. Yugi was determined to have someone to do something with. He would do anything other than sit there in silence. It was unnerving. And Yami was going to be that someone. No way could Yugi let his yami sleep and ignore him like that. Sure it might be considered selfish but Yugi was so bored. "Soon Yami will be up and running around in no time, Yugi stated to himself, all he needs is a jump start." Yugi rushed out of the kitchen, almost slipping in his excitement on the wood floor. He ran down the stairs to the basement cellar, stopping at their freezer. He pulled a stool up beside it so he could reach inside and pull out what he wanted. His Grandpa gave it to him because of his short legs. For his age he was abnormally small making him look like a ten year old. And his face didn't help one bit. It was so childlike and innocent. His big lavender eyes would make the hardest heart turn soft, just the way he looked at you. Yugi pulled out a bag full of cinnamon rolls that he had made a couple of days ago. His yami adored cinnamon rolls and the smell of cinnamon drove him nuts. Whenever Yugi had the smell of cinnamon, just the slightest scent, Yami was all over him. And Yugi would use this to his advantage. That was Yugi's weapon. Yugi re-entered the kitchen and pulled out two rolls. He put them on two plates and popped them in to the microwave for a minute. Yugi took out a container that held cinnamon in it to sprinkle some on Yami's roll. He popped open the lid and let the aroma flow into the living room. Yami's nose caught a whiff of the scent, twitching like a rabbits he sniffed. His eyes opened up immediately revealing two ruby red orbs. He lifted up his head and snapped it towards the kitchen. He crawled on to his feet and bounded on to the couch silently. He peered into the kitchen and spotted Yugi at the counter, his back blocking the view. He roved his eyes over the kitchen until they landed on the microwave. His eyes went bright and a wide smirk spread across his face. He slinked off the back of the couch and landed with a light thud. Yugi heard the light sound resonate through the kitchen. A meek smile spread across his face. A beep sounded off in his ear. He flicked his head towards the microwave, his hair shifting lightly like a cloud crossing the sky. Yugi opened the door and pulled out the rolls. A faint smell lifted off them and Yugi was sure his yami could smell the delicious scent. He grabbed the cinnamon box that sat on the left of him and sprinkled some on the left roll, covering the top just enough to give it a little buzz for his yami. Yugi glanced around the kitchen. Where is he thought Yugi, his face showing complete puzzlement. Yugi shrugged it off as just being lazy. He turned around to face the rolls but instead he got a face full of his yami. He jumped at the surprised sneak but started laughing at the sight. Yami sat on the counter with his legs crossed, chewing the roll absentmindedly. His cheeks had a slight blush to them as if he were on a sugar high and his eyes glowed with delight. A purring sound emanated from his throat and mixing with his chewing it sounded like he was saying yum.
Sure all this was funny in a way but Yugi was laughing at only one thing. How his yami was eating the cinnamon roll. He never used his hands like a normal person would. The only time he'd use his hands is when he picked it up and stuffed it into his mouth. For the remainder of time he used his teeth and ate it one peel at a time. He looked like a human can opener with the cinnamon roll actually turning in his lips until it diminished into his cavernous mouth.
"Yami you never cease to amaze me. I still don't know how you do that! It defies all logic." Yugi grabbed the cinnamon box and stuffed it in his pocket. A wicked little grin spread across his face. Yami finished chewing his roll and glanced over at Yugi. A smile flitted across his face. Yami jumped down from the counter and followed Yugi back to the couch. He sat down and stared at Yugi who was quietly enjoying his roll. Yugi looked up to meet his gaze.
"What's wrong Yami? Is something bothering you?"
"There is only one reason why you pulled out the cinnamon rolls. So...what is it?" Yami cocked an eyebrow, waiting for a reply. Yugi looked at him with big watery eyes and to Yami he was begging.
"I can't hide anything from you!"
"Well!!"
"I was bored Yami and I want to do something with someone. You should know that everyone is busy. I tried Seto but he didn't answer and Mokuba is not home either or he would have answered the phone. Marik and his yami told me that they would be busy but they never told me what they were up to."
"It might be better that way" Yami mocked. "Well have you tried Joey or Ryou? I'm sure they wouldn't be busy."
"No Yami, you're wrong."
"Oh no!!! Yami stated with an exaggerated expression.
"Very funny Yami. Ha ha! I have tried Joey already but Joey stated plain and simple that he wasn't feeling good."
"And you believed him?"
"Of course, but that's not the issue." Yugi waved the suggestion off like it was a fly. Yami almost face faulted at the gesture. He straightened up and coughed slightly at the thought. "Joey being sick...right!" He whispered through fake coughs. Yugi sighed and shook his head.
"Yami are you done cause I would like to continue."
"Go on. You were saying?"
"Ryou was the last one I phoned and he never answered. I was sure he was there. He was three days ago." Yugi's face turned from content to worry.
"Yugi that was three days ago. We haven't seen him, Strawberry or Yami Bakura for that matter. No contact, no nothing. He just up and disappeared. Wait! That doesn't make sense. Doesn't he live in Seto's house?" Yugi stared out in to space for a few minutes as he let the question sink into his head.
"Oh yah! I already phoned the Kaiba mansion and no one answered but I'm still worried about him. He has never done this to us before!"
"Like I said he lives with Seto, that's why it's never happened before." Yami paused to think, his face written with concentration. Yugi watched his yami waiting for some logical explanation.
"Maybe, Yugi, he went back to his old house were it was just him and his yami?"
"I hope not Yami. That house gives me the heebie jeebies and it makes his yami act strange. Yami Bakura's powers grow strong and he gets this cold feel around him, like raw energy is seething through his veins." Yugi stated with a glance at the window, expressing the feeling of curiosity. Yami looked at Yugi and laughed. Yugi whipped his head around, snapped out of his thoughts at the abrupt laugh that issued from his yami.
"What Yami? Why did you laugh? Is it me that you're laughing at?"
"No Yugi I'm not laughing at you." Yami smiled. Yugi sighed with relief that his yami wasn't laughing at him for being so up tight. But then what was he laughing about or at? What got him giggling?
"To answer your questions Yugi I just thought of asking Otogi about Ryou. I mean you never tried to ask Otogi if he's seen Ryou. Strawberry is his apprentice and were Strawberry is Ryou has to be around some where near by. Otogi has tabs on everyone."
"You are so right Yami!" Yugi slaps his forehead in a fashion to show how stupid he felt. "And there's Shaadi. I never tried Shaadi either. Shaadi can sort of sense where other items are and transport himself to their whereabouts." Yami jumped off the couch and raced to the door, the excitement of a hunt rushed through him. He stopped only when Yugi called for him.
"Slow down Yami! I don't have my shoes on!" complained Yugi.
"Come on Yugi! We don't got all day!"
"There my shoes are on. Now we can go Yami and thanks for being serene." Yugi joked.
"Glad to be of service." And with that last sentence Yami was out the door, practically ripping down the street.
"Yami!!!! You don't have to run! I can't keep up!!" Yugi screamed but Yami never let up. "Fine if you won't listen I'll just have to bring out the drastic measures." Yugi pulled out the cinnamon box and opened it. He waved it in the air to let the scent of it be known that it was behind Yami. Of course, to Yugi's hope, Yami caught wind of it and stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around and came at Yugi with more force then when he first started out with. Yugi knew this force would and could shatter his bones if he didn't dodge. Yugi jumped aside just in time to miss the crushing blow his yami was about to inflict. Yami flew right by and crashed into a mailbox causing it to bend. Yami lay there whimpering, rubbing his head and shoulder that collided with the mailbox.
"Yami if you listened to me before you wouldn't have ran into that mailbox."
"Well at least can you give me the cinnamon?" Yami griped.
"Sorry Yami but I just used it to call you back."
"Well then I'm not staying! See you at Otogi's."
"Yami I want you to walk with me. Please!" Yugi looked Yami in the eyes, his lavender eyes starting to sparkle with tears, a trick that Mokuba taught Noa and him. Well all the adorable people in the group, like Ryou as well. It worked on everyone, despite the fact that some of them were cold hearted.
"God damnit! Fine I'll walk with you but if you do that again I swear I'll..."
"Meh!" Yugi rolls his eyes in exaggeration. Yugi stands on the spot for a moment, thinking. He decides what he was thinking about and struts over to Yami. He thrust up his arms, flexing his fingers. "Up!" Yami was stunned. He looked down upon Yugi, eyes frozen with shock, wide like saucers. He stammered. "Excuse me!"
"You heard me Yami, loud and clear." Yugi answered simply.
"Uh...no. No, no way am I carrying you! You can walk. Use your legs. Besides all you wanted was for me to walk beside you and I get nothing out of it. No cinnamon, nothing." Countered Yami. Yugi whined and brought out the cinnamon. Yami refused it by turning his head and going into full snub mode. Yugi sighed. Fine, he'd just have to bring out the full artillery if Yami was going to turn down the one favourite thing he loved to eat. Not hearing complaining from Yugi anymore, Yami started to get apprehensive. He loved to hear Yugi's voice, especially when he whined. Not hearing it only made him feel empty and ignored. Yami opened his eyes and shifted his head slightly, causing a bang to fall in front of his eye. When Yami's eyes caught Yugi's baby lavender's Yami thought 'I'm screwed'. He was met with a full forced assault of the one and only puppy cry. Yami was beaten. Yugi knew he would win. He smiled a sweet smile to make his yami feel a bit better, knowing loosing was the worst thing that could happen to him. It always made his yami feel sick and Yugi couldn't stand it, seeing his yami's pride hurt. But just to gloat, Yugi threw up his arms, flexed his fingers and said, "Up!" Yami looked at him with a defeated expression. "Okay, fine I'll carry you."
"Yami, you wanted to get there fast and you know my legs are shorter then yours. This is the only way to go." Yugi smiled once more, giving the feeling to Yami that he was thankful and sorry at the same time. Yami sighed. He knelt down and scooped his aibou up into his warm embrace.
"Yah, I know Yugi but if anyone asks if you're my kid, I'm answering that you just have a leg problem." Yugi stopped cuddling up to Yami's chest and looked up, a mad little expression on his face. "Yami!" "Don't stop cuddling. Go on. Your hair is all fuzzy and tickly!" Yami ruffled Yugi's hair. "Yami! Don't try and get out of trouble with me." Yugi started to giggled as Yami blew slow tickling breaths into his ear. "Yami...st...stop it! That tickles." Yugi shivered, as a shiver ran up and down his spin. "Fine you're off the hook this time but next time I might not be so generous." They continued this conversation all the way to Otogi's.
"Come in!" Otogi got off of his chair and sauntered over to the door. In his bedroom a low, scratchy growl issued from the room, announcing its aggravation. Otogi ignored it and opened the door. Yami stepped in through the door, holding Yugi in his arms. "Where's Mokodo? I would like to know its where abouts." There was a sharp ring. They heard rustling of sheets and a mousy snarl come from his room.
"Does that answer your question? Anyway, I've been expecting you two for sometime now. You have something to tell me or will that be tardy too?" Otogi raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Yes we have questions and we aren't the only tardy people around." Yami raised an eyebrow just the same only he had a "you've been caught red- handed" smile plastered to his face.
"And I love every bit of it. Now, lay the questions on me before I fall asleep."
"Have you seen Ryou lately?" Yugi asked, sinking back into worriment.
"As a matter of fact..." Otogi paused in mid thinking.
"Well, spit it out! What is it?" Yami complained.
"Nope." Otogi stated simply.
"Nope what? What do you mean?"
"Yami! Don't be so rude."
"Yah Yami! Don't be so rude." Yami fidgeted nervously, face turning red from embarrassment.
"What I mean Yami is that I haven't seen Ryou and you know what that means! That I haven't seen hide or hair of Strawberry or Bakura and hasn't it occurred to you that Ryou could be out on a walk or something. " Otogi put on his all knowing look.
"Don't change the subject! You should know where they are Otogi. You do have links with everyone you protect." Otogi's expression faded and an annoyed look replaced it.
"I can't keep tabs on everyone at once, Yami! Even I have my limits. It's exhausting work watching all of you. That gives you a reason why I'm sleeping the majority of the time and can't help you when you're in trouble. I waist all my fircken time just watching you people do nothing."
"We get the picture." Yami half lidded his eyes, putting on a sarcastic look.
"Very good. You've come a long way, little grasshopper." Otogi started laughing. Yami growled and was about to say a rude comment but Yugi hushed him.
"I was wondering, Otogi, if you would like to help us look for Ryou. You're obviously worried about your pup. He's been gone to long for your taste."
"If you call three days long."
"Hush Yami!" Yugi looked up at Yami seriously. "Please hold your tongue." Yami didn't reply. He was to busy looking at Otogi's expression. He could see the worry in the velvet black haired boy's divine green eyes. Otogi stopped pacing and looked at Yugi. "I'll help you search for Ryou but only out of devotion for the ones I keep safe and the fact that something is stirring inside me, a bad feeling to this 'so called' disappearance of Ryou and Strawberry."
"You make it sound like Sherlock Holmes. I got that of the magic box." Yami smiled. Otogi slapped his face. He knew Yami could be stupid but not that demented. Yugi just shook his head and sighed.
"What about Yami B?" Yugi looked sort of concerned. To him, he felt it was his duty to worry about everyone. Even the ones that could harm him and the others loathed.
"In a way my feeling is coming from Bakura. I haven't been watching him over the past days and every time I do look at him, he would shift slightly. I thought he was moody and left him alone. I believed that was what he wanted, considering how he works with everyone else. But now I believe I was wrong. It was something deeper with him that made him shifty under my gaze." Yami stiffened at the very words that slid from Otogi's mouth. He set Yugi down. Yugi looked up, confused.
"Yami what's bothering you?" Yugi looked at him.
"Nothing Yugi. My arms need to rest for a bit, that's all."
"Okay Yami. If that's all it is." Otogi interrupted the converse between the two of them. "If you're ready we can begin the search for them."
"Oh! Yes we are. Sorry about that Otogi." Yugi apologized.
"Yugi, I going back into the puzzle."
"What for Yami?"
"I need to ponder something and it requires absolute silence. Don't let me hold you back. Go on with Otogi. I'll been in the puzzle if you need to discuss something." With that last sentence, Yami vanished with a golden light. The puzzle glowed a brilliant yellowish gold when he entered and died down to the smooth glint when he settled in. Yugi fingered the puzzle, pondering silently to himself. He let a smile slink on to his face, eyes going all warm and hazy looking as if he were having a warm daydream; not to be awoken. Otogi watched Yugi carefully, watching every facial muscle twitch, so he could read what was on Yugi's mind.
"Yugi, time is of the essence. I would advise you that if we want to find Ryou it would help us more if we were walking not talking."
"Oops! Sorry Otogi. I was recalling something." Yugi replied, shocked out of his daydream. Otogi bowed his head in forgiveness and strolled out the door, motioning Yugi to follow him. Otogi locked the door behind them. For precautions only, there were a lot of bums that wandered the halls, looking for open rooms to snoop through. Otogi took Yugi on his little detour around the elevators and stairs. There was to many people that could block their way. They already lost an hour because of their little conversation. They strolled out onto the street and continued the pass meant for Yugi's little legs.
"Otogi! Where do you think we should start looking? I mean we could go to Seto's mansion to check and see if Ryou left anything behind." Yugi spoke rapidly as he still had to try and keep up with Otogi's swift, long strides.
"I would think Seto would have noticed anything out of place. It is his home."
"What of Mokuba or Noa? Would they know to?"
"Sure they would! Whatever Seto notices, Mokuba and Noa will notice. Yugi don't worry! Everyone's going to help search for Ryou."
"But Otogi, everyone is busy right at the moment. They all have something to do or work on, like Seto has..."
"They wont have anything to work on for long." Otogi cracked his knuckles and stretched his fingers, ready to cause some damage.
